Perry's plan to skip debates prompts criticism from Gingrich, Santorum

Two of his Republican rivals on Thursday criticized Rick Perry, who has dropped hints he may skip some of the upcoming presidential debates.

In a question-and answer-session with reporters following an education forum in New York City, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich both suggested it is a sign of weakness for Perry to take a pass on some future debates. At least 10 have been scheduled between now and the end of January.

"I'd never skip a debate. I'd never skip the opportunity to let the American public know what I think about these issues," Santorum said.

"I'm all about digging deeper and people getting to know the candidates."

Gingrich suggested that Perry's reluctance raises questions about his fitness for the fall campaign. "I don't see how somebody can say that they can't debate Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul, but they'll be ready to debate Barack Obama," he said. "I think Governor Perry would find it an enormous mistake to not go to the debate and I think that frankly he'd look pretty silly."

Both Santorum and Gingrich spent years in the nation's premier debating society, the U.S. Congress, and the experience has stood them in good stead at the debates so far. Moreover, as back-of-the-pack candidates, both stand to benefit from the national exposure that they receive at the televised events.

Gingrich and Santorum both expressed optimism about their chances in Iowa, where the first votes will be cast on Jan. 3 - the same night as the BCS Sugar Bowl. Santorum expressed confidence that Iowa's hardy caucus-goers will face down both the weather and the temptation to sit by the tube and watch college football. "That's what the Iowa caucuses are all about - getting people to commit on a January 3rd night where there's a BCS bowl game probably being played that night," said Santorum. But he acknowledged there are limits to how much can be asked of even Iowa's enthusiastic participants in democracy.

"For the sake of a lot of the candidates, I bet you they hope Iowa's not in that BCS bowl game, that's all," Santorum said.